Smartphones are dearer than ever, however that doesn’t imply you have to lay our a fortune to get a very good one. Actually, many telephones below $600 now supply options that was once unique to premium fashions. Whether or not you care about efficiency, battery life, digital camera high quality, or simply need a cellphone that feels good to make use of day-after-day, there are some nice choices accessible in Might 2025. From Google’s refined software program expertise to Motorola’s reliable funds choices, and even a Huawei cellphone that works surprisingly nicely regardless of lacking Google apps, this listing covers a spread of selections.
Finest Smartphones Underneath $600
1. Google Pixel 9a
The Pixel 9a is essentially the most reasonably priced strategy to get Google’s newest AI options and digital camera tech. Regardless that it’s a part of the mid-range A-series, the Pixel 9a contains most of the identical software program capabilities discovered within the dearer Pixel 9 and 9 Professional. It runs on the Tensor G4 chip, which permits the cellphone to deal with on-device AI duties like Magic Editor, Reside Translate, and superior voice recognition with ease.
One of many most important causes to choose the Pixel 9a is the digital camera. Google’s picture processing continues to set the usual within the mid-range, and the 48 MP most important digital camera captures clear, well-balanced pictures in virtually any lighting. Night time images can also be robust, with Night time Sight producing clear and detailed outcomes.
One other plus is the replace help. The Pixel 9a will get Android updates and safety patches for seven years, matching the flagship fashions. That makes it a future-proof alternative for anybody who needs to maintain their cellphone for a very long time.
The design is extra compact than a number of the different telephones on this listing, with a 6.3-inch OLED show that’s vibrant and easy at 120Hz. Should you worth clear software program, dependable updates, and powerful images all for $499, the Pixel 9a is difficult to beat.
2. Redmi Word 14 Professional+
The Redmi Word 14 Professional+ earns its spot on this listing by delivering robust all-around efficiency at a worth that continues to be comfortably below $600. This gadget retails for $449, thus it might even make the below $400 phase in case you are prepared to spend just a few additional bucks.
It combines high-end design, a quick show, succesful {hardware}, and good digital camera efficiency—all whereas sticking to Xiaomi’s technique of giving customers extra for much less. The cellphone is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip, which presents glorious efficiency for day-to-day use, gaming, and multitasking.
One of many standout options of the Word 14 Professional+ is the show. It makes use of a 6.67-inch AMOLED panel with a 1.5K decision (roughly 2712 x 1220 pixels) and a 120Hz refresh charge. Peak brightness reaches as much as 1800 nits, making it straightforward to see outside. The display screen is curved, which provides the cellphone a extra premium feel and look than typical mid-range fashions.
Digicam efficiency is strong. The principle sensor is a 200 MP unit with optical picture stabilization (OIS), which is uncommon on this phase. Photographs come out detailed and vibrant, particularly in daylight. Whereas the ultra-wide and macro cameras are extra fundamental, they spherical out the system for infrequent use. Night time mode efficiency is sweet, although not fairly on the stage of the Pixel 9a.
Charging is one other space the place the Redmi Word 14 Professional+ excels. It helps 120W wired charging, and the 5000 mAh battery can go from empty to full in below 25 minutes. This type of charging pace remains to be unusual outdoors of Xiaomi and iQOO telephones, and it’s a giant time-saver in every day use.
Finest Smartphones Underneath $600
3. Motorola razr+ (2024)
Sure, a foldable cellphone below $600. The Motorola Razr+ is now rather more reasonably priced than when it launched, and up to date worth drops have introduced it into this funds. For as little as $500, you will get this gadget. Some retailers even supply particular reductions that take the value as little as $450. This isn’t the high-end Razr mannequin—it’s the bottom mannequin with extra modest specs, however the folding design nonetheless feels premium.
The Razr+ offers you a 6.9-inch OLED most important display screen that folds in half, plus a smaller 4-inch exterior display screen for fast information like notifications, climate, and music controls. The hinge feels strong, and the show is easy at 144Hz, which is uncommon even in high-end telephones.
Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip presents flagship efficiency, and the battery life is healthier than anticipated for a foldable. The digital camera system isn’t class-leading, however it holds up effective for informal images and video.
What makes this cellphone stand out is the shape issue. The razr+ folds right into a compact sq. that’s straightforward to hold and enjoyable to make use of. It’s one of many few actually totally different telephones on this worth vary and is ideal for individuals who need one thing that appears and feels distinctive.
4. iQOO 13
The iQOO 13 is a performance-first cellphone that provides unbelievable worth for cash. It makes use of the 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite, which was Qualcomm’s flagship chip in 2024 and nonetheless delivers high-end efficiency at present. This gadget retails for a bit of above $600, however in latest occasions, we’ve got noticed a few reductions that carry the value just under $600. Nonetheless, you’ll need to seek for this deal.
Gaming is a robust level. The iQOO 13 comes with a quick 144Hz AMOLED display screen, contact sampling charges above 300Hz, and a built-in vapor chamber cooling system. That makes it perfect for cell players who need easy gameplay and lengthy periods with out overheating.
Battery life can also be strong, with a 6150 mAh battery and 120W quick charging that may prime up the cellphone in below 25 minutes. The design leans towards the sporty facet, with vibrant colours and sharp strains, however it nonetheless feels refined within the hand.
On the digital camera entrance, it has a succesful triple setup with a 50 MP most important sensor. It gained’t beat the Pixel 9a in low gentle, however it performs nicely in daylight and has a strong ultra-wide digital camera too. The iQOO 13 is ideal for customers who care about pace, gaming, and getting high-end specs at a mid-range worth.
Finest Smartphones Underneath $600
5. Huawei Pura 70
The Huawei Pura 70 is a wildcard on this listing. It doesn’t include Google Play Providers out of the field, however it’s surprisingly usable due to instruments like Gbox, which allow you to run most Google apps with out main issues. For customers snug with that tradeoff, the Pura 70 presents a robust {hardware} expertise.
The Pura 70 stands out for its construct high quality and digital camera system. The 50 MP variable aperture most important digital camera can modify for various lighting, and the cellphone takes detailed pictures with wealthy colours. Huawei’s digital camera software program is among the many greatest, particularly for portraits and close-ups.
Its design is modern, with curved edges and a strong really feel. The show is a 6.6-inch OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh charge and excessive peak brightness, making it straightforward to make use of outside. The Kirin 9000S1 is mid-to-high-end efficiency, although it’s not fairly on par with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or Tensor G3.
One of many strengths of the Pura 70 is the software program – EMUI 14.2 (Worldwide), HarmonyOS 4.2 (China). It runs easily and appears polished, although it takes some getting used to for Android customers. It gained’t be for everybody, however it’s a formidable gadget with top-tier {hardware} in the event you don’t thoughts the shortage of native Google help. At launch, this gadget prices about $760, nevertheless, there at the moment are offers that take the value across the $600 mark.
Conclusion
There’s no one-size-fits-all relating to selecting a smartphone below $600. The Pixel 9a is good for individuals who care about pictures and software program updates. The Redmi Word 14 Professional+ is constructed for these with comparatively shallow pockets. The Razr offers you a foldable kind issue at an affordable worth. The iQOO 13 packs flagship-level efficiency for players and energy customers. And the Huawei Pura 70 brings high-end design and digital camera {hardware}, even with software program limitations. It doesn’t matter what you’re in search of, these telephones show you can nonetheless get a superb expertise with out spending over $600.
